When J-School alumni visit Allen Hall it is not uncommon for them to walk past the Washington Hand Press still displayed on the second floor and exclaim, "Nothing's changed." This is a fair assessment of the second floor hallway, but it hardly reflects the reality of the school, where, in fact, change is a constant. Higher education is in a period of fundamental change. Research universities are developing innovative, student-centered approaches to teaching and learning that build on our research missions. I am convinced that the J-School will be a leader in this effort on the UO campus and in journalism education nationally because student-centered learning and innovation are the norm for us. This conviction was reinforced a few days ago when reading the February 1998 issue of "The Peer Advisor," published by our student peer advisors with the help of Assistant Dean Greg Kerber.

Tim Gleason, dean

"The Peer Advisor" tells students about new or experimental classes offered in the next term. A partial list of the spring term courses will give you a sense of the richness of the offerings and of our commitment to blending theory and professional practice in every aspect of students' learning experience.

Bill Ryan will teach a freshman seminar, Documentary Photography: Silver Shadows, Golden Words. Students will study the work of important documentary photographers and of authors writing about the same subjects. Advertising in Cyberspace, taught by Charlie Frazer, examines the ways in which computer-mediated communication is changing advertising practice. During the term, student teams will create a web site for a commercial client.

Research universities are developing innovative, student-centered approaches to teaching and learning that build on our research missions.

In Advanced New Editing, John Russial offers students interested in editing for print or the Internet a chance to sharpen their editing skills in a newsroom-like setting. Advanced Advertising Copywriting gives students with a firm grasp of advertising conceptual work the opportunity to hone their writing skills with Ann Maxwell.

Warren Pease, our electronic technology coordinator, will teach Audio Production: Sound and Story, a beginning class in audio production. Bill Ryan will offer Advanced Visual Theory, a hands-on advanced class in visual design.

Leslie Steeves' Introduction to African Studies, part of an interdisciplinary effort on campus to strengthen the university's coursework on Africa, introduces students to the social, cultural, political and economic diversity of the African continent. Wayne Wanta will teach an experimental graduate class in Media Effects, examining the role mass communications play in influencing the attitudes and behaviors of consumers. And, Lauren Kessler will teach a revised graduate version of Writing the Nonfiction Book, where nonfiction writers learn book writing and publishing basics.

The J-School is not alone on the UO campus in the development of new and innovative teaching and learning experiences. Our spring courses provide a snapshot of the kind of innovative thinking taking place on campus.

The University is currently engaged in a campus-wide "Process for Change," in which faculty, staff, students and administrators are identifying ways to improve all aspects of the UO educational experience. I expect this effort to generate a long list of creative strategies that will have an immediate effect on the quality of undergraduate and graduate education at the UO.

We will not be moving the Washington Hand Press any time soon, but we are changing the educational experience at the UO for the better. Stay tuned for up-dates.